Arctostaphylos purissima
La purisima manzanita, La Purisima Manzanita, La Purisima manzanita, La Purisima manzanita
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Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Arctostaphylos purissima (La purisima manzanita) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by small round clasping leaves and mixed hair types on twigs.
La purisima manzanita is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern Central Coast and western Transverse Ranges in Santa Barbara County, growing on sandstone outcrops and sandy soils in chaparral at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers in compact clusters with pendulous nascent inflorescences. Growing erect and 1 to 4 meters tall, it has densely hairy twigs and a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are bright green, strongly overlapped, round-ovate, 1 to 2.5 centimeters long with lobed bases that clasp the stem, and featuring a characteristically abrupt soft point at the tip. The fruit is a smooth, depressed-spheric berry 5 to 8 millimeters wide, typical of manzanita species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species; small round clasping leaves and mixed hair types on twigs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandstone outcrops, sandy soils, chaparral
Elevation: < 300 m.
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Arctostaphylos purissima blooms Jan-Mar.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Arbutus: Arctostaphylos fruits are smooth and mealy; Arbutus fruits are bumpy and juicy.; vs Rhus: Arctostaphylos has simple evergreen leaves; Rhus has compound deciduous leaves.; vs Quercus: Arctostaphylos has urn-shaped flowers and berry-like fruits; Quercus has catkins and acorns.; vs Xylococcus: Arctostaphylos leaves are flat; Xylococcus leaves have margins rolled tightly under.; vs Heteromeles: Arctostaphylos has urn-shaped flowers; Heteromeles has flat white flower clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arctostaphylos purissima native to California?
Yes. Arctostaphylos purissima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arctostaphylos purissima bloom?
Arctostaphylos purissima blooms Jan-Mar.
Where in California does Arctostaphylos purissima grow?
Arctostaphylos purissima occurs in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of < 300 m..
What plant family does Arctostaphylos purissima belong to?
Arctostaphylos purissima is in the Ericaceae family, genus Arctostaphylos.
Is Arctostaphylos purissima rare or endangered?
Arctostaphylos purissima carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arctostaphylos purissima subsp. globosa — Globose manzanita
- Arctostaphylos purissima subsp. purissima — La purisima manzanita
- Arctostaphylos rainbowensis — Rainbow manzanita
- Arctostaphylos refugioensis — Refugio manzanita
- Arctostaphylos regismontana — Kings mountain manzanita
- Arctostaphylos rudis — Sand mesa manzanita
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.